Google to invest about $75 million in A24, form AI research partnership

The multiyear, non-exclusive deal pairs DeepMind with A24 to build filmmaking and distribution tools while keeping the studio’s film and TV library off limits.

35d ago

Fact Check

The official Google DeepMind announcement directly confirms a multi-project research partnership with A24 to develop creative filmmaking tools with a Google investment in A24. Variety (citing the Wall Street Journal), The Hollywood Reporter, and TechCrunch all independently confirm the ~$75 million figure and the DeepMind-A24 AI filmmaking partnership. Variety additionally confirms the deal grants no access to A24's content library or data, matching the claim that the studio's film and TV library is off limits. All major elements of the claim are corroborated by a primary source and multiple top-tier outlets.

Summary

Google is investing about $75 million in independent film studio A24 and entering a multiyear, non-exclusive partnership between DeepMind and the studio to develop artificial intelligence tools for making and distributing movies. The deal marks Google’s first ownership stake in a film studio, extending its entertainment footprint beyond YouTube. The companies said the collaboration will focus on tools meant to preserve creative control rather than prompt-based generative systems, and the agreement does not give Google access to A24’s film and television library. A24 Labs, a 20-person unit led by partner Scott Belsky, is already building an AI storyboard application. The investment is roughly the size of Thrive Capital’s contribution in A24’s 2024 fundraising round, which valued the studio at $3.5 billion.

Terms & Concepts

DeepMind: Google’s artificial intelligence unit, which develops advanced AI models and tools.
generative systems: AI tools that create content such as text, images, audio or video from prompts.
storyboards: Rough visual sketches used in filmmaking to plan scenes before shooting begins.